The Director-General of the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps (NTAC), Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Yusuf Buba Yakub, has been honoured with the Icon of Excellence Award by students of the University of Abuja in collaboration with Right Shift Educational Consult for Good Governance Initiative (RSEC). The award ceremony took place at the NTAC Complex in Abuja on Tuesday.
Receiving the award, Dr. Buba, an alumnus of the University of Abuja, described the visit by the students as a homecoming. He expressed delight over their previous programme, which he had supported through a detailed address delivered by his Special Assistant on Media, and encouraged them to sustain the initiative as an annual tradition.
“You have just visited your father, and I am proud of the work you are doing. I urge you to keep this up and continue to build platforms that uplift young people,” he said.
The NTAC DG urged Nigerian youths to embrace the ongoing reforms of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, particularly the Student Loan Scheme, stressing that despite global economic challenges, the country’s economy remains stable.
“As Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala recently affirmed during her visit to the President, we are almost out of the woods. The future of our nation lies in your hands as young people, and I encourage you to hold the torch high for the generations to come,” he added.
The delegation, led by Mr. Yusuf Tobijani, President of the University of Abuja Students’ Union Government (SUG), lauded Dr. Buba for his exemplary leadership and contributions to youth development.
“The legacy you are leaving behind is what the youth will propagate. We are here today to make ourselves familiar with your ideology for humanity. Education is one of the pillars of your legacy, and we are determined to learn from your example,” Tobijani said.
He further announced that, as a mark of honour and appreciation, the SUG had resolved to name one of its secretariats after Dr. Buba, while pledging continued support for his vision and policies.
Ambassador Abdullahi Ahmed, NTAC’s Director of Administration, thanked the students for the recognition, noting that the Corps looks forward to deeper collaborations with youth organisations and student bodies in the future.
The event concluded with the presentation of souvenirs and group photographs, symbolising mutual recognition, inspiration, and renewed commitment to youth empowerment and national development.
